my simple setup to take photos of my watches

May 26, 2021,04:30 AM
 

i didn't bother to get a lightbox and so, experimented a little before settling on the following setup... focusing is manual and the camera settings are aperture f/22, shutter speed 1/125 and ISO 100 with the use of an off-camera flash. the lens is a 60mm macro and the camera has an aps-c sensor. i will then cover the lens, flash and watch with an A4 size paper before pressing the shutter.




and here's the result after a little adjustment in Lightroom which i think is pretty decent given that an A4 paper is used, instead of a lightbox... hehehe...




thanks for indulging me by reading this post smile

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Superb !

 
 By: Alfihar : May 26th, 2021-04:34
And thanks for explanation. Best Ø

thanks, Alfihar! and you're welcome

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-04:53
i realised the photo looks dimmer when viewed on a phone compared to viewing on a PC

It is true…

 
 By: Alfihar : May 26th, 2021-05:40

thanks, Nico!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-07:11
ah... i see that the secret to your system is using paper from JLC 😁

LOL! Yes!

 
 By: amanico : May 26th, 2021-09:47

😜

 
 By: Zilch : May 26th, 2021-10:33

:)))

 
 By: amanico : May 26th, 2021-20:54

Great result

 
 By: Quan : May 26th, 2021-07:01
without lightbox, should try out

thanks, Quan!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-07:12

This post and detailed explanation is immensely helpful.

 
 By: ArmisT : May 26th, 2021-07:32
I’m impressed by how you (and Nicolas) are able to get those effects with strategic use and placement of A4 paper. Thank you very much.

Better!

 
 By: amanico : May 26th, 2021-20:54

I can recommend some Bergeon 6033 Rodico, the Original Green Putty...

 
 By: cshimokita : May 26th, 2021-07:54
or Bergeon 7033 Rodico Premium Watch Cleaner or a similar product... the "problem" with macro photography is every speck of dirt shows. The second shot image with a brighter 'exposure' setting or post processing is (IMO) an improvement on the original. Ca... 

thanks, Casey!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-10:59
i see that it's available on amazon and will buy it to try

thanks, Fernando!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-11:02
from my own limited experience, using a flash does yield better results

Good tips!

 
 By: S F : May 26th, 2021-10:23

thanks, S F!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-11:03

Superb setup with spectacular result my friend!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : May 26th, 2021-11:15

thanks, Chronometer!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 26th, 2021-14:06

thanks, Christian!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 27th, 2021-08:34

Just amazing

 
 By: sirbogey : May 27th, 2021-16:27
Sounds so simple. Thanks for the explanation. Will try to reproduce a pic or two. Might take me couple of years though...

thanks, sirbogey!

 
 By: terbaboom : May 29th, 2021-00:49
it's not complicated, really... and i'm sure your photos will turn out nice

Great photo.

 
 By: Jurry : June 6th, 2021-18:18
Explain me one more time because the way I read it you put piece of paper over the watch??? Great DoF and with f/22 thats to be expected. Have you ever tried lens more open (less DoF) but then take multiple exposure with focus stacking? Not that I have bu... 

thanks, Jurry!

 
 By: terbaboom : June 7th, 2021-15:11
the piece of paper will be covering the lens, off-camera flash and watch, i.e. the 3 items will be under the piece of paper, so that unwanted light is blocked i have not tried focus stacking before. frankly, i don't know much about it, only read that it i... 

A now I understand.

 
 By: Jurry : June 8th, 2021-10:24
Focus stacking (or bracketing never know the exact term) works fairly simple and works good for macro. The function is built in my camera so all I have to do is set nr of photos set exposure. Then it will take ie 6 photos and every time focus point shifts...